That individual, looking a trifle more melancholy than usual, responded at once.
"Well my boy," said Ralph good-humoredly, "the stage is all set for the experiment that will set the whole world by the ears.—But you don't look happy, Peter. What's troubling your dear old soul?"
Peter, whose feelings had evidently been lacerated when the door had been lowered in his face, replied with heavy dignity.
"Beg pardon, sir, but the young lady is still waiting."
"What young lady?" asked Ralph.
"The young lady from Switzerland, sir."
"The—which?"
"The young lady from Switzerland, sir, and her father, sir. They've been waiting half an hour."
If a bomb had exploded that instant Ralph could not have been more astounded.